Bed frame assembly

ABSTRACT

Caster wheel supports for a bed frame comprising a pair of interlocking components in which male and female elements are provided on the cross and side frame members respectively for detachably securing them to one another, these elements being inclined and sloping upwardly and outwardly toward the sides of the frame, the male members serving to dispose the caster wheels mounted thereon inwardly of the side frames to provide foot clearance to prevent a person walking alongside the bed from stubbing his toes. The novel construction also provides improved reinforcement for the corners of the bed and also disposes the side frame and cross-frame bed support surfaces at a common level.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

The most pertinent art is applicant's own U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,429. Thedeficiency in such construction resides in having the wedge sockets onthe side frames vertically disposed so that they present a hazard to abare foot of the person approaching the bed in that he can easily stubhis toe, etc. A further problem that develops in my previousconstruction is that the female member of the coupling must be securedto the vertical flange of the angle iron or L-shaped side rail. In orderto provide an unobstructed outer edge on the side rails, the verticalflange must be on the inboard side of the .[.raid.]. .Iadd.side rail.Iaddend.and the horizontal flange is at the top, and thus the advantageof having a mattress-confining upwardly extending flange on the outeredge of the side rail is lost. Separate retainers must be provided. Alsothe horizontal flanges of the side rails and of the cross-frame membersare vertically offset since the side rail horizontal flanges must seatatop the horizontal flanges of the cross-members, which complicateslaying of the bed springs since a single planor surface does not exist.The springs are supported only on their lateral edges unless additionalcross braces are provided. Furthermore, more metal is required in thepatented construction than in the instant invention. An extensiveimbraced vertical web is provided in the old construction for attachingthe caster wheel to the cross-frame member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel bed frame structure in which the crossframes and the side frames are interconnected by a novel interlockingarrangement which not only facilitates assembly and disassembly butwhich also provides improved strength.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel slidablyinterengaging male and female elements on the cross-frame and side-framemembers respectively and wherein these elements are inclined inwardlyfrom the ends of the cross-frame members and the side-frame members aremovable diagonally inwardly and outwardly as well as vertically, andthus are adaptable to tightly embrace a bedspring frame therebetween toprovide a novel tight assembly.

The invention also provides an attachment between the side frames andthe cross frames which do not readily separate upon lifting of the bedby the side-frame members.

The invention also provides a novel coupling arrangement between theside frames and the cross frames, using mating male and female elementswhich slope downwardly and inwardly, the male element being preferablyformed by oppositely directed end portions of a pair of verticallydisposed side by side arranged plates which at their upper ends arepreferably rivited to a vertical flange of the L-shaped cross-framemember, the end portions providing a diagonal reinforcing brace for theplates extending from a caster wheel attachment socket formed bysemi-cylindrical outward offsets in the plates adjacent to the inboardedges of the plates to the upper outer edges of the plates.

The invention also has for its object the reduction of the amount ofmetal necessary to fabricate a male-female interlocking mechanism and atthe same time to simplify the structure and improve its aesthetics.

Another object is to provide a novel easily separable interlockingarrangement between the side members and cross members of a bed frame inwhich the male elements are completely sheathed within the femaleelements and thus they mutually strengthen each other.

These and other objects and advantages inherent in and encompassed bythe invention will become more readily apparent from the specificationsand the drawings; wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my novel bed frame shown in assembledposition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken .[.essentially.]..Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the frame assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the parts disassembled;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 6--6 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line7--7 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The bed frame generally designated 2 is shown in the drawings ascomprising a pair of side rails or frame-members 4,4 and cross-framemembers 6,6 arranged generally as a rectangle.

Each side rail is an angle iron having a vertical outboard flange 8 anda horizontal flange 10 which extends inwardly from the flange 8.

A female socket element 12 is positioned adjacent to each end of eachside rail and comprises a V-shaped attachment bracket 14 which has ahorizontal flange portion 15 secured by rivets 16,16 to the bottom side17 of the horizontal flange 10. Flange 15 joins at its outer edge in anapex 18 with the upper end of an inwardly and downwardly sloped web 19which is positioned at approximately 45° to the vertical The web 19extends beneath and is secured by rivets 20,20 to a similarly slopingbottom wall 21 of the female or socket member generally designated 12.

The female member 12 comprises in addition to the bottom wall 21 a pairof vertical side walls 24,24 extending upwardly from the lateral edgesof the bottom wall. Walls 24 have sheared upper end edges 25,25 whichseat flat against the underside of the attachment bracket flange 15. Thesheared edges 25 continue at the upper ends of inturned flanges 26,26which are formed at the upper edges of side walls 24,24. The upper endof the socket member fits complementally within the corner 28 formed bythe flange 15 and wall 20. The socket element extends inwardly of therespective side rail and has an open lower end 30.

The socket provides a passageway 32 which receives a male or prongelement generally designated 35 which is formed on the outboard edges ofa pair of back-to-back disposed plates 36,36 of a caster wheel mountingbracket 38. Bracket 38 is provided at each end of each cross-member andthe male member thereof extends diagonally along its outboard edge andis formed from the two plates 36,36. Each of these plates is bentlaterally outwardly at right angles thereto to provide outwardlydirected coplanar bottom wall portions 40,40 disposed at substantiallythe same angle as the bottom wall 21 for seating thereupon and slidingengagement therewith. The outer edges of the wall portions 40 are bentupwardly to provide vertical side flanges 42,42 which parallel walls24,24 of the socket. Walls 42 terminate in upper edges 44,44 whichconverge with the plane of the bottom wall portion 40 toward the distalupper end of the prong at a small angle of approximately 5°-10° andcomplementally wedge beneath the similarly sloped inturned flanges 26,26of the socket member.

The plates 36 of the bracket 38 are fastened adjacent to their upperedges 48 by a pair of rivets 49,49 to the vertical flange 50 of theassociated cross-frame member 6 beneath the horizontal flange 51 whichin the assembled position of the side-frame members with the cross-framemembers are coplanar therewith (see FIG. 2).

It will be observed in FIG. 5 that the outboard ends 52 of the panels 36project beyond the adjacent end 54 of the related cross .[.number.]..Iadd.member .Iaddend.and extend into the slot 55 defined by the inneredges 56 of the inturned flanges of the socket member.

The lower portions 58 of the plates 36 inwardly of the prong member asoffset outwardly to provide vertical stem-admitting socket halves 59which are secured together by a pair of rivets 60,60 extending throughthe plates at opposite sides of socket 61 which admits the stem orspindle 63 of a caster wheel assembly or abutment 65.

Thus it will be readily apparent that the male element not only servesas an interlocking means but also by extending transversely of theplates serves to rigidify the structure.

The cross-frame members are longitudinally adjustable and areinterconnected by slidable interfitting extension elements 70,70, eachof which have a horizontal flange 72 and vertical flange 74 (FIG. 7),and hook ends 75,76 which hook over the free edges of the flanges 50 and51. A thumb screw 77 is threaded into each end of the flange 72 andlocks against flange 51 of the associated section of the cross-framemember. It will be understood that the cross-frame members may also beof one piece construction. The instant structure, however, obtains theadvantage that the cross members may be adjusted to closelyapproximating the width of the spring frame.

Inasmuch as the side rails have components of movement that are verticalas well as horizontal, the side rails may be raised slightly and spreadapart wider than the bed springs and then the bed springs set thereupon,the weight of the springs and mattress causing side rails to slidedownwardly or inwardly and tightly embrace the springs therebetween.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will nowbecome apparent that various forms of the invention will be envisionedby those skilled in the art which fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A bed frame adapted to support a spring and mattressassembly comprising a pair of spaced, parallel side-frame member meansand at least one cross-frame member means extending between saidside-frame member means, .Iadd.said side frame member means and saidcross-frame member means each including a horizontal flange and avertical flange, .Iaddend.and means releasably securing the ends of saidcross-frame member means to said side-frame member means,comprising:female elements connected to one of said cross-frame andside-frame member means .Iadd.by a V-shaped bracket, each bracketincluding a first leg connected in surface abutting engagement with thehorizontal flange of said one of said cross-frame and said side-framemember means, each bracket including a second leg extending downwardlyand inwardly of said first leg and at an acute angle with respectthereto.Iaddend., and male elements connected to the other of said sideand cross-frame member means, said male-female elements disposed insliding telescoping engagement with each other and sloping downwardlyand inwardly from the lateral sides of the bed frame, said male-femaleelements defining bed-frame corner supports and being extendable andcontractible laterally of said bed frame whereby said side-frame.[.members.]. .Iadd.member means .Iaddend.being movable with thesecuring .[.elements.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.connected thereto arespreadable apart different distances widthwise of the bed frame, and thetelescoping male-female elements being cross-wise vertically superposedand mutually supportive to each other and resisting bending momentsimposed thereon.Iadd., said female elements each including a bottom walland a pair of spaced upstanding side walls respectively extending fromopposite edge portions of said bottom wall, each of said side wallshaving an inwardly extending flange portion spaced from said bottomwall, said bottom and side walls and said flange portions defining agenerally channel-shaped passageway for receiving a respective maleelement, means connecting the bottom wall of each female element insurface abutting engagement with the second leg of one of said V-shapedbrackets, and each male element comprisng two plates arranged back toback and secured together, each plate having a generally vertical plateportion, and a bottom section extending outwardly of the bottom edge ofthe plate portion including an upturned side wall, said bottom sectionstogether forming a bottom wall of the male element, said male elementsbeing slidably receivable in said female elements so that said upturnedside walls of each male element are disposed between said bottom walland flange portions of each female element and adjacent to a side wallof each female element.Iaddend..
 2. The invention according to claim 1.[.and.]. .Iadd.wherein .Iaddend.each said male element .Iadd.is.Iaddend.defined by a vertical support comprising .Iadd.said.Iaddend.two plates .[.arranged back to back and.]. extending flatwiselengthwise of the cross-frame member means and having diagonaloppositely extending edge portions forming .[.a.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.bottom .[.section of the male element and having portions atthe lateral edges of said edge portions spacially disposed at oppositesides of the support and turned upwardly and forming side walls of saidmale element.]. .Iadd.sections, .Iaddend.said side walls having upperedges tapering upwardly toward the upper end of said male element andeach female element comprising a tapering passageway for reception ofthe associated male element.
 3. The invention according to claim 1.[.and means connecting each male element to said cross-member meanscomprising two plates having confronting portions.]. .Iadd.said verticalplate portions confronting each other and .Iaddend.collectively defininga downwardly open socket for reception of a floor engaging abutment, andsaid releasable .Iadd.securing .Iaddend.means extending from the relatedside member means to adjacent said socket in mutually reinforcingrelation to each other for substantially the entire extent thereof. 4.The invention according to claim 2 .[.and each said female elementcomprising a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bottom wall .Iadd.of each femaleelement .Iaddend.sloping downwardly and inwardly from the adjacent.[.side.]. .Iadd.side-frame .Iaddend.member .[.and having a pair ofupright side walls and inturned wedge flanges at the upper ends of saidside walls, said wedge flanges.]. .Iadd.means, side flange portions ofeach said female element .Iaddend.converging with said bottom wallupwardly toward the .[.side rail.]. .Iadd.side-frame membermeans.Iaddend.. .[.5. A bed frame adapted to support a box spring andmattress comprisng a pair of spaced, parallel side-frame members, atleast one cross-frame member extending between said side-frame members,and means releasably securing the ends of said cross-frame member tosaid side-frame members comprising female elements connected to one ofsaid cross and side-frame members and male elements connected to theother of said side and cross-frame members, said elements disposed insliding engagement with each other and sloping downwardly and inwardlyfrom the lateral sides of said bed frame causing said side frame membersto move downwardly and inwardly toward each other in embracing relationto a box spring interposed therebetween, and each said male elementdefined by two plates arranged back to back and having oppositelyextending edge portions froming a bottom wall of the male element andhaving portions at the lateral edges of said of said edge portionsturned upwardly and forming side walls of said male element, said sidewalls having upper edges tapering upwardly and toward the upper end ofsaid male element, and each female element comprising a taperingpassageway for reception of the associated male element, and each femaleelement comprising a bottom wall sloping downwardly and inwardly fromthe adjacent side member and having a pair or upright side walls andinturned wedge flanges at the upper ends of said side walls, said wedgeflanges converging with said bottom wall upwardly toward the side railmember, and a bracket securing the female element to the respective sidemember, the bracket being V-shaped and having an upper flange secured tothe underside of the related side rail member and having a longer flangejoined to the upper flange in an apex terminating at the outer side ofthe related side member, said bottom flange extending beneath the bottomwall of the associated female element and secured thereto and slopingdownwardly and inwardly with said bottom wall..]. .[.6. A bed frameadapted to support a box spring and matress comprising a pair of spaced,parallel side-frame members, at least one cross-frame member extendingbetween said side frame members, and means releasably securing the endsof said cross-frame member to said side-frame members comprising femaleelements connected to one of said cross and side-frame members and maleelements connect to the other of said side and cross-frame members, saidelements disposed in sliding engagement with each other and slopingdownwardly and inwardly from the lateral sides of the bed frame causingsaid side-frame members to move downwardly and inwardly toward eachother in embracing relation to a box spring interposed therebetween, andsaid cross-member comprising longitudinally adjustable sections forpositioning said side-frame members in close confinement with the sidesof the bed springs while said side rails are elevated above thecross-member and said male and female elements partially telescoped,whereby said bed springs and matress will cause said elements to fullytelescope, drawing said side-members into tight engagement with said bedsprings..]. .[.7. The invention according to claim 1 and said side railseach being L-shaped having an outer vertical flange and a horizontalflange extending inwardly from the vertical flange and providing asupport surface, and said cross-member having an upper support surfacepositionable coplanar with the support surfaces of said side members..]..[.8. A quadrilateral bed frame adapted to support a spring and mattressassembly comprising a pair of spaced parallel side-frame members and apair of spaced cross-frame members extending substantiallyperpendicularly between said members extending substantiallyperpendicularly between said side-frame members, and means detachablysecuring each end of each cross-member to the adjacent side-framemember, comprising male and female slidably interengaging elements, oneof said male-female elements being secured to the side-frame member andthe other of said elements being secured to the cross-frame member,cooperating male-female elements being disposed at an angle to thevertical and sloping from the outer edge of the bed frame crosswise ofthe respective side-frame member to a position beneath the respectiveend of the associated cross-frame member to a terminous inwardly of theinner edge of the respective side-frame member and providing footclearance for a person moving about the edge of the bed, saidmale-female elements telescoping with each other and said side-framemembers being concurrently spreadable and contractable for receivingdifferent widths of spring assembly therebetween..]. .[.9. The inventionaccording to claim 8 and said side-frame members being L-shaped andhaving an outer vertical flange and a bottom horizontal flange extendinginwardly therefrom and said female elements attached to the underside ofthe horizontal flange and projecting downwardly and inwardly of theassociated side rail..]. .[.10. The invention according to claim 9 andeach said female element having a longitudinal slot therein and saidmale element being secured to the adjacent end of the associated crossmember and having an upper portion projecting outwardly of said adjacentend and a lower portion projecting inwardly of the adjacent end of theassocaited end member and said upper portion having at least a partextending through said slot in the telescoped position of saidmale-female elements..].